98 R1100GS strange noises

[Serpy]

Hi all. New to this club and forum. Hope to see you all on a ride soon. Just picked up a 98 R1100 GS and could do with some tips. Bike is totally stock and in nice general condition with 70,000 kms on clock. Service history not perfect but reasonable.

I live in Perth and picked the bike up in Melbourne over Xmas and rode it back. Bike did the trip beautifully but there is an odd noise that only occurs when engine is at normal operating temp. It's a weird harmonic sort of noise, sounding almost like a mid pitched wind instrument. Only present when bike warmed up and present when moving and stopped. So loud that it can be clearly heard over the motor running. Sounds like it could be coming from under tank, but can't be sure. I wear ear plugs and have mainly done high speeds on her since I bought her last week so noise only noticeable when you pull in for fuel etc. (altenator maybe?)

Any clues would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks all.

Serpy

[jono]

Welcome to the forum Serpy.

Does the noise you describe rise and fall with rpm?
ie if you rev the bike in neutral does the noise follow the rpm change or remain at constant pitch?

Cheers
JonO

[Serpy]

Hi JonO. The noise remains at constant pitch whatever the revs. it sounds like a vacuum cleaner running.

Cheers

Serpy

[jono]

Hmmm my un-educated guess would be fuel pump or brake servo.
Given pitch doesn't change with revs I dont think it would be alternator.

At idle does it change if you apply brakes?

Here is an extract of an article I found on the R11gs

"Funny noises

Let's start with the funny noises when you switch the ignition on. The whir sound is the fuel pump (located in the tank) turning on.
There are more funny noises when you start off. There's a sighing as you let the clutch out and start to move. The grating clunk is the ABS self-testing before turning off its red flashing lights. Note the self-test kicks in periodically when riding. You notice it most after 10 or more minutes riding without stopping. Next time you stop the bike say at a junction then ride off, ABS self-tests. There are further funny noises when coasting.

One funny noise to avoid is running the bike in gear on its main stand (wheel off ground of course!). It makes all sorts of strange noises but it's
a) normal for shaft drive
b) not good for the transmission."

Here is the link http://micapeak.com/bmw/gs/gs_tel2.html

Cheers
JonO

[jono]

Also you can apparently run the engine with the alternator belt off to see if it's the alternator making the noise.
This also gives you the opportunity to check the belt for condition.

Good luck,

JonO

[Cookie]

Hello Serpy

I have an 1100, but have not had the same issue, come down to coffee on Sunday and there are few guys that have extensive knowledge and will offer advice on potential causes.

[DFS]

Hello Serpy
I assume the noise is still present when the bike is stationary with the engine running therefore ruleing out a sound generataed by wind passing over some item on the bike.
H'mm, 70,000kms, nice hardly run in.

JonO's suggestion of the fuel pump is a good one, apparently some pumps are excessivley noisy, not something I have personally experienced on my 1100GS other than when the tank is nearly empty.
If you do remove the alternator belt be sure to read the manual re; belt replacement. It's not hard but it is worth doing properly; i.e. don't lever the belt on and tension to the correct torque, if you do they will last for a very long time. My belt was changed at the 60,000 service, the bike has now done 309,000kms. and no more belts.

There is no brake servo on the 1100, if you have ABS fitted the only sound from that system is the clunking as already mentioned when the system self checks or is in opperation.

Going back to the fuel pump.
My suggestion would be to change the fuel filter (and check the internal pipes for failure), sooner rather than later. It is not unknown for the filter to split, this is rare but if the filter has not been changed and dirty fuel has entered the tank or if the drain pipe from the filler cap surround has become blocked, (this is common) then the filter can become chocked with crud or water and will split possibly allowing un-filtered fuel to enter the injection system, very undesirable. It is possible the sound you discribe could be fuel under pressure escaping from a ruptured pipe or filter inside the tank, it's difficult to be sure without hearing the sound myself so it is by no means certain this is the correct diagnosis just one that I would want to check out rather quickly if you think there is a possibility it dose indeed originate in the tank.
The drain from the fuel filler surround goes through a curved steel pipe inside the tank on the fuel level sender unit, this can fill with dust, then when it rains the water sits there and rusts the inside of the tube completely blocking it, this means that any water sitting under the fuel cap drops straight into the tank when you open the cap.
When you are sure the drain is clear it is well worth blowing it through with compressed air on a regular basis, this should help prevent this from happening again.... the bonus is that should the pipe block again you will discover it quite quickly.
To access the pump and filter you need the tank as empty as possible for removal. Once removed the unit sits on the inside surface of the right side of the tank and is held in with a circle of bolts.
If not already done this is a good time to fit quick release couplings to the two main fuel lines (the 1100 did not come with them from new). This makes for much more civilzed tank removal, no spilt fuel, no clips to undo with a screwdriver

I hope this is of help to you, as Cookie says , come on down and have a coffee with us on a Sunday morning or the meeting on 14th January.

DFS

[Serpy]

Thanks Cookie and DFS. All food for thought. I will come down one morning soon or to the 14 Jan meeting. I'm sure if one of you more experienced guys hear it you'll pick it up straight away. Anyhow I do want to join the club.

See you soon.

BB

[Serpy]

Hi again Cookie & DFS. I am now pretty sure the noise we are talking about is coming from the tank. I will go through the procedure you describe ASAP.

Haven't made it for coffee or to the last meeting. Going to poke my heade in a the Tune up day if that is OK with everyone.

Thanks for all trhe help guys.

BB

[bully1]

Hi again Cookie & DFS. I am now pretty sure the noise we are talking about is coming from the tank. I will go through the procedure you describe ASAP.

Haven't made it for coffee or to the last meeting. Going to poke my heade in a the Tune up day if that is OK with everyone.

Thanks for all trhe help guys.

BB

all are welcome at the tuning day Serpy , once we allowed Old betsy to come along.

[thumper]

Hi SERPS welcome to the group. The r1100gs is a good solid workhorse. Mine has done over 140k and still going strong. I see you have a couple of issues on a couple posts I will try and cover them briefly but if you have any other questions let me know.

[old betsy]

Have you joined the club yet????

[Serpy]

OK. So I took the fuel pump mounting plate out. All lines clear. Non of the possible issues identified by DFS in his recent reply. Lines from tank overflow clear. Replaced fuel filter. Is now a hell of a lot quieter. Still audible though. Not sure if this much noise from the fuel pump is standard. I'll have to listen to another, similar 1100.

Thanks to all who helped out, especially DFS. Owe you a pint.

Cheers

Bolton